But that difficulty could be easily remedied; their homes were not far off, nor was the village, with its stores where such things could be bought.  It was decided to despatch messengers for the needed supplies.

“Papa,” said Lulu, “may they get a pair for me?  I’d like to learn to skate.”

He turned to her with an indulgent smile.  “Would you? then you shall; I will send for the skates and give you a lesson in the art myself.  I used to be reckoned a good skater in my boyhood.  Would my little Grace like to learn too?”

“No, thank you, papa, I’d rather walk on the ground, or ride.”

“You shall ride on the ice if you will, little girlie,” said Harold.  “I think I can find a conveyance that will suit your taste.”

“You’re kind to think of it, Uncle Harold,” she said, with a dubious look, “but I’m afraid the horses would slip and fall on the ice.”

“I think not,” he said; “but if they should they will only have to pick themselves up again, and go on.”

“But I’m afraid they might get hurt and maybe tip me over too.”

Harold only smiled at that, as he rose and left the room to attend to the despatching of the messengers.

Grace wondered what he meant, but as the older people all about her were busily talking among themselves, she went on quietly with her breakfast and said no more.

“Are you a skater, my dear?” asked the captain, addressing his wife.

“I used to be a tolerably expert one and moderately fond of the exercise,” she replied.

“I should like the pleasure of taking you out this morning, for a trial of your skill,” he said.  “Shall I send for skates for you?”

“Thank you, no; I think I have a pair somewhere about the house, and perhaps can find another for you.”

“There are several pairs of gentlemen’s skates,” said her mother.  “I will have them brought out for the captain to try.”

He thanked her, adding that in case a pair should be found to fit, he could have the pleasure of taking his wife out without waiting for the return of the servant despatched to the village.

Upon leaving the breakfast table they all repaired to the parlor for family worship, as was their custom morning and evening.  Then those who had skates, and some who wanted the walk and a near view of the skating, Lulu among them, got themselves ready and went to the lakelet, while the others waited for the return of the messengers; most of them meanwhile gathered about the windows overlooking the lakelet, to watch the movements of the skaters—­Edward, Zoe, Harold, Herbert, Rosie, Evelyn and Max; presently joined by Capt.  Raymond and Violet, a pair of skates having been found to fit each of them.

When all were fairly started the scene became very animated and pretty.  The two married couples skated well, but Harold, and especially Herbert, far exceeded them, the swift, easy movement with which they glided over the glassy surface of the lake, the exact balancing of their bodies, and the graceful curves they executed called forth many an admiring and delighted exclamation from the onlookers, both near at hand and farther away at the windows of the mansion.